By Jamie Martin
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started transforming its loan and grant systems into a modern digital platform. The project will replace over 130 older systems to create a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
“At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are leveraging innovative technology to deliver faster, more secure services in alignment with the Secretary’s vision for a modern and customer-focused USDA," said USDA Chief Information Officer Sam Berry.
"In 2026, we’re excited to transform our loan and grant systems to reduce processing time, advance our commitment to efficiency, and overall provide an outstanding experience to the citizens we serve," said Berry.
“Under President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ Farmers First agenda, USDA’s loan modernization effort marks a major step forward in how we better support access to financing for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce.
“By giving producers the option to apply for a loan and work directly with our loan staff from any device, anywhere at any time, we are making our programs more accessible and more responsive to the realities of modern agriculture,” said Fordyce.
“This transformation strengthens our commitment to delivering reliable credit and customer-focused support in ways that fit the everyday lives of the producers who rely on us to help them meet their production agriculture goals,” said Fordyce.
“Our modernization effort has been the top priority at Rural Development because it represents such a major step forward in how we serve our customers,” said Rural Development Acting Undersecretary Todd Lindsey.
“Retiring outdated systems including some built in the 1960s, and moving away from paper-based applications means we are consolidating our technology platforms into a more reliable, efficient, and user‑friendly experience,” said Lindsey.
“These improvements will streamline our processes, reduce burdens on applicants, and ensure our programs are easier to access for the people and communities we support,” said Lindsey.
The platform will offer features like a single customer file, guided application tools, and online payment options. It will manage around 1.2 million active records, helping staff process requests more efficiently.
This modernization effort is expected to remove delays and make services more accessible. By adopting new technology, USDA aims to better support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities and help them meet their agricultural goals.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National